Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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September 26, 2006

Help! I Need an Editor — Too Many Choices and Only One Manuscript

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 12:46 pm

What Do Editors Do Anyway?

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When I got my first job as an editor, I had no idea the kinds of things I would be doing. Nor did I have a clue how hard it would be to answer thi question.

What is it that editors do? And what’s a proofreader?
When I’m asked in passing, my answer is usually not too helpful.

I tell my mother-in-law I write mystery novels and that the proofreader checks that the solution really works.

Then I quickly change the subject. Explaining what editors do is like trying to tell a nonblogger about blogging.

The secret is that editors edit about 35% of the time. They also write, rewrite, check changes, go to meetings, discuss with authors, writers, and other editors, problem solve, and work with illustrators, photographers, and designers, among a variety of other things, such as keeping track of the incredible paper trail a single volume can create.

On top of that not every editor does the same kind of editing. Quite frankly it’s a bit of a wonder that other editors can explain exactly what it is we all do.

Still, if you’re looking to publish a work with your name on it, you’ll want a professional editor to look the piece over for you. It’s a matter of credibility — for you and your brand.

So maybe knowing a little more about editors –

More than just the fact that editors were good at term papers in high school.

– isn’t such a bad idea.

So Many Choices and Only One Manuscript

Editor is a general and a specific term. It means something different in almost every publishing and media company. An editor at one company can be the entry-level position, whereas the Editor at the New York Times decides the content and runs the business. However, there are some basic job roles that fall into the category called Editorial. I’ll define them here and you can use these definitions to determine what sort of editor your work needs.

Freelancers can be found that have experience for every role. When you want to hire an editor, discuss with editors which parts of your process could benefit from unbiased professional input. Then have the editor suggest what value-added propositions and skills he or she might bring to your work. Ask the editor to explain how he or she might go about the tasks.

When you’ve made a match, use the procees in this post 5 + 1 Safety Rules for Dangerous Deadlines: Finding Quality Time to make sure that your work and your relationship go smoothly and in the right direction.

Great editors working with great writers on great manuscripts can only make something outstanding.

Got editorial war stories? I’ll tell mine if you tell yours. Got questions? I’ve got some answers. Maybe we can match some up. Did I leave something out again? Tell me. Folks that are reading need to know about what’s missing too. Thanks.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help with a problem you’re having with your writing, check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.





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6 Comments to “Help! I Need an Editor — Too Many Choices and Only One Manuscript”

  1. September 26th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
    Jesse said

    Is this a test? I like tests. :)

  2. September 26th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
    Scorpia said

    Liz, thanks for that clear exposition. I finally know what it is a proofreader really does ;)

    Good thing I never had to deal with any of that when I was still writing for CGW. I just sent in my stuff and they printed it, usually with very few changes.

    It was prety much the same with the two gaming books I contributed to; the persons compiling them had all the headaches. Lucky me ;)

  3. September 26th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Jesse,
    I could give you a test if you’d like. :)

  4. September 26th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Scorpia,
    That’s the traditional definition of a proofreader. It was much more important before computers — to check that the type set was the type you asked for. Now a lot of times they function as lower-level copyeditors. :)

  5. September 26th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
    cat said

    Liz, this is wonderful! I never knew there were so many different jobs in the writing industry.

  6. September 26th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Cat,
    That’s the basic editorial roles. Imagine if we started ticking off all of the kinds of writers — educational writers (actually we break out into distinct specialties folks who write for kids under age 9 are a special bunch, then there’s each subject area) technical writers, romance writers etc.

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